Governor Makinde Calls For States Control Of Mining Sector, Says 37 Miners’ Deaths Avoidable
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has called for greater control of Nigeria’s mining sector to be transferred to state governments, saying the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State should not have occurred.
Makinde made the call at a gathering in Katsina, against the backdrop of the deaths of the miners who were in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
The governor said mining is currently under the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution and argued that greater responsibility should be devolved to state governments, while the Federal Government retains an oversight role.
Makinde said the incident involving the 37 miners should prompt a review of the country’s security and mining arrangements, questioning whether young Nigerians seeking means of survival should bear the full blame for their circumstances.
He also argued that efforts to tackle illegal mining must address both the supply and demand sides of the sector.
Governor Makinde Calls For States Control Of Mining Sector, Says 37 Miners’ Deaths Avoidable
Byadmin
Sep 23, 2026